Forecast the Scarcity of Game Generation: Digital Game Literacy

Abstract

The progress of information technology and the rapid development of the Internet have brought considerable and real benefits into all aspects of human life. The widespread use of electronic media such as computers, mobile phones, digital media, and games completely transforms the traditional lifestyle of people and changes children’s real-world experiences to a stage that has become a part of their lives (Edwards 2005; Fromme 2003). In recent years, digital games have begun to spread into the life of every family. Electronic forms of entertainment such as game software installed on computers, game consoles, handheld game devices, and mobile phones have become one of the main recreational activities of children and teenagers (Children’s Welfare League Foundation 2009).

Keywords

Notes

Acknowledgments

The research reported in this paper has been supported in part by the National Science Council in Taiwan under the research project numbers NSC 99-2511-S-024-003-MY3, NSC 101-2631-S-001-001, and NSC 102-2511-S-024 -006.

Appendix

Parents’ Digital Game Literacy

Please circle the number that represents how you feel about the digital game software or devices

Scenario 1: When purchasing a digital game software

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Neither

Agree

Strongly agree

I pay attention to the information about the rating system labeled on the product package.

1

2

3

4

5

I would choose appropriate games based on the rating system of the computer product and game software.

1

2

3

4

5

Purchase price of the game software is not considered an important factor.

1

2

3

4

5

I thoroughly understand all game-related information before purchasing digital game software for children.

1

2

3

4

5

I would trial play the digital game to see if the content of the game is appropriate for children.

1

2

3

4

5

Scenario 2: Before playing digital game software (digital game-related equipment refers to computers or consoles)

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Neither

Agree

Strongly agree

I would set game-related equipment in the open to public access place.

1

2

3

4

5

I would let the whole family use digital game-related equipment.

1

2

3

4

5

I pay attention to whether the design of digital games is potentially harmful to the health.

1

2

3

4

5

I make an agreement with children before playing digital games.

1

2

3

4

5

I negotiate game playing time with children and set penalty rules and carry them out.

1

2

3

4

5

I would help children understand correct concepts of playing digital games.

1

2

3

4

5

I would let children understand the effects of a longtime playing of digital games on the body.

1

2

3

4

5

I would let children understand that there are differences between the content of digital games and the real world.

1

2

3

4

5

Scenario 3: When children play digital game software

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Neither

Agree

Strongly agree

I refuse to let children play digital games that contain sex and violence.

1

2

3

4

5

I refuse to let children play pirated digital games.

1

2

3

4

5

I teach children to follow the rules of digital games.

1

2

3

4

5

I teach children to respect others during digital game playing.

1

2

3

4

5

I teach children to practice self-control in distributing digital game playing time.

1

2

3

4

5

I ask children to follow mutually agreed rules of digital game playing.

1

2

3

4

5

5th and 6th Graders’ Digital Game Literacy

Please circle the number that represents how you feel about the digital game software or devices

Scenario 1: When purchasing a digital game software

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Neither

Agree

Strongly agree

I pay attention to the information about the rating system labeled on the product package.

1

2

3

4

5

I would choose appropriate games based on the rating system of the computer product and game software.

1

2

3

4

5

Purchase price of the game software is not considered an important factor.

1

2

3

4

5

I thoroughly understand all game-related information before purchasing digital game software.

1

2

3

4

5

I ask family members to trial play the digital game to see if the content of the game is appropriate for me.

1

2

3

4

5

Scenario 2: Before playing digital game software (digital game-related equipment refers to computers or consoles)

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Neither

Agree

Strongly agree

I would set game-related equipment in the open to public access place.

1

2

3

4

5

I would let the whole family use digital game-related equipment.

1

2

3

4

5

I pay attention to whether the design of digital games is potentially harmful to the health.

1

2

3

4

5

I make an agreement with family members before playing digital games.

1

2

3

4

5

I negotiate game playing time with family members.

1

2

3

4

5

I understand correct concepts of playing digital games.

1

2

3

4

5

I understand the effects of a longtime playing of digital games on the body.

1

2

3

4

5

I understand that there are differences between the content of digital games and the real world.